Summary of Francis Bacon’s 'Of Revenge'

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon, popularly known literary figure. He has written number of essays with remarkable philosophical suggestions to lead successful life.

At the age of twelve, he goes to Cambridge University. He has no interest in promoting culture and speculates about human life. He disgusts with regular studies. He comments, “produced no fruit, but only jungle of dry and useless branches”.

In France, he studies practical subjects like statistics, diplomacy and becomes lawyer. He befriends with Lord Essex skillfully to advance his position in the court. King James titles him as “Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans”. Later he is imprisoned by the king for getting bribe. Then Bacon decides to devote his ability to literature and science.

Bacon’s first work “The Great Institution of True Philosophy” is incomplete. His other works are ‘The Atlantis, History of Henry VII, Psalms, Of Studies, Of Friendship, and Of Love etc...

        Bacon’s philosophy has been classified under three heads:

a.     Man in his relation to society

b.    Man in his relation to himself

c.     Man in his relation to God   

        Most of his essays suggest philosophical ideas include Politics, Religion, Treasure, Death, Medicine, Astronomy and History of Various Nations. 

Of Revenge:

        Revenge is not a civilized practice and creates disorder in society. People who wants to take revenge, stuck in past. There are two kinds of people. First, shows their true nature to understand easily as evil but later is in disguise to revenge people at the right time in the dark.

“It is the glory of a man to pass by an offence and forgives his enemy is magnanimous like a king” (Salomon) Quotes Bacon in his essay Of Revenge. Bacon mentions Job’s proverb like accepting good from God, must accept bad as well. As Job’s proverb goes, one must forgive the person who has done evil to feel the glory.

        It is good to have public revenge rather than private. Bacon refers historical figures Julius Caesar, Pertinex, Henry III to justify public revenge. The one who takes revenge is a witch that cannot change its nature.

Historical References of Public Revenge:

        Julius Caesar, the play written by William Shakespeare. It is one of the finest plays of Shakespeare. The play set in Rome in 44 BC. It portrays moral dilemma of Caesar’s friend Brutus.

        Caesar has friends and opponents as well. Many celebrates Caesar’s victories but few conspires against him. They want to stop Caesar from gaining more power. Somehow, they managed to convince Brutus to join the plot. At the end, they stab Caesar including his dearest friend Brutus which makes Caesar to say “you too Brutus” in shock.

         Caesar’s faithful follower Mark Antony swears to take revenge. He speaks in front of the mob to reveal the conspiracy that headed by Brutus and Cassius. Eventually, Brutus and Cassius flee and kill themselves, leaving Antony to rule.

        Pertinax, Roman Emperor who rules first three months of 193. He is the son of freed slave. He fights in wars of Rome. His success leads him high rank in military. After the death of Commodus, Pertinax rules the Rome. He reforms several methods of roman court one of them leads his assassination by the Guards.

        The Guards are killed by Septimius Severus, who rules after Pertinax. 

        Henry III king of France is killed by a catholic fanatic Jacques Clement. Henry IV murders Jacques Clement for the assassination of Henry III.

                In Bacon’s work, each word and sentence counts. Ideas are interlinked. His essays are argumentative and have number of proverbs. Thus, Bacon suggests philosophical ideas from various histories to lead successful life.